Finance, Forex and Investments

Which country is good for immigration, australia or canada?

I am in networking professional (system support/ helpdesk support)since last 3 years, before that working in bank in credit department, now looking to migrate from pakistan due to uncertainity and low income and other issues. so in this regard can some one advise out of the aus and canada which one is best in context of child education, health care, secure life and job prospects. i myself prefer australia due to pleasent weather, but heard lot of issues of racism specially for asians from indian subcontinent, also heard child education and health care is free in canada, but in aus only healthcare is supported by gov, where as there are lot of rumers that to find office or white color job in canada is very difficult, the immigration process in new policy is both same (less then year) either in MODL in aus or new profession list in canada. So plz someone can advise in this regard.

Public Comments

1. I can't comment on Australia, but I know that immigration in Canada is growing and the government has still not set up all the necessary services to support people immigrating here. I would suggest moving to a bigger city if you do come to Canada (like Toronto or Vancouver) where more support would be available to help you adjust to Canadian culture. And yes, I have spoken to a few people who have immigrated to Canada who are struggling to find work - however, I also know a few people who are extremely successful since moving here.
2. I heard that in Australia they have a kind of points system and you get marked on what you would bring to there country and if you get less than a certain amount they don't consider you.
3. Health care is not free in Canada and I don't know why you would think it is. Doctors don't work for free and hospitals aren't built by volunteers. Although we don't pay out of pocket to see a doctor, we pay for medically necessary procedures through taxes. As far as immigrating to Canada is concerned, it is extremely difficult. With your stated qualifications, I doubt you would find immigrating easy and you won't be able to find a job in your field either as we have more than enough help desk/ system support people who are unemployed. You talk about uncertainty and low income issues where you are - well, it's no different here. We are having a tough enough time finding work for our own citizens without having to worry about immigrants. Your best bet would be to stay where you are for the time being and upgrade your education. When the economy here in Canada improves (whenever that may be) then consider your plans to possibly migrate here. However, be forewarned that we are already dealing with about 975,000 current applications. As Canada only accepts about 250,000 new qualified immigrants each year, I think you can see why it's vital that you be as qualified as possible. Please understand that it isn't that you, personally, would not be welcome in Canada but that now is just not the time to try and immigrate here. Look through http://www.cic.gc.ca and read the whole website very carefully
4. If your information on the time taken for a visa in Canada is correct, that is probably where you should be heading, but you have some misconceptions about the Australian situation that need to be corrected. Australia is one of the least racist countries on the planet and the story of people from the subcontinent being subject to racism is an Indian media beatup and you should already be abundantly aware of how sensationalist and inaccurate the Indian media can be. True, there were a few incidents, but only 2 or 3 were racially motivated - the remainder were committed by opportunistic thugs who would have attacked anyone who took the same stupid chances. In any case, the racially motivated incidents were not perpetrated by Australians but by another ethnic group and in at least 2 of the cases in Sydney, the Indians were the aggressors in retaliation for an earlier incident, but that never reached the Indian media. We have over 250,000 people from the subcontinent here and until the last few months, there has never been any suggestion by them or anyone else that they were subject to any racist attacks or discrimination. I know many Indians and a couple of Pakistanis and all are very happy here and have never had any problems. For citizens and PRs, Australia has free public education up until the end of year 12 and heavily subsidised tertiary education with interest free government student loans for citizens to be repaid via the taxation system when earnings reach a certain level. Public hospital treatment is free and all other medical expenses are heavily subsidised with annual safety nets in place so the already low cost of treatment after Medicare benefits becomes much lower for people with chronic, long term or expensive medical needs. You should be aware that you're mistaken if you think that a MODL occupation will get you a visa in under a year in Australia. No unsponsored MODLvisa applications have been processed all year and none will be processed until at least the middle of 2010. By that time, there will be a massive backlog so any new application can be expected to take a minimum of 2 years and probably considerably longer. In any case, I can't see that your occupation is even on the MODL as you haven't mentioned any of the MODL specialties. If it is only SOL, a visa will take much longer. Also, 3 years of experience is not enough to get a positive skill assessment for a Computing Professional from the ACS - they demand a minimum of a degree with at least a computing major and 4 years' experience. http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/a-z.htm#a http://www.acs.org.au/index.cfm?action=show&conID=skillassessment http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/migration-program.pdf
5. Z is correct. From the information that you gave, you do not qualify as a skilled worker therefore it is doubtful that you would be able immigrate to either Canada or Australia. You need to go back to school and get an advanced degree from a school recognized by foreign governments.
6. I am a Canadian, 57 years old and have ancestors dating back to 1821 when we first immigrated from the British Isles. A previous answer from an Aussie suggested you were wrong on the racist bit from Australians. Perhaps she is correct, but I also think Aussies are more honest and outspoken than the average meek Canadian who is more politically correct and would only say thier true feelings about East Indians (oops...Indo-Canadians) with close friends in privacy. Canadians are just as turned off as anyone who only wants to come to our country for what our country can offer you. Pres: John F Kennedy: Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country!! I love Canada and the multi-nation mosaic and the variety of people, and good looking women also. Where I get choked up is when people who have been here for 20 years still do not know the names of the 10 provinces, or have little or none knowledge of one of Canada's 2 official languages. They could not care less of the new country which has adopted them, but when they become sick, they demand the best care. We are forced to accommodate foreigners on so many different levels and that is why Canada is ranked on top for immigration,...certainly if you come here and get any job, you will have a better future than if you stayed in Pakistan and I dont blame anyone for not wanting a better life...but when I hear just that you want free this and free that...hmmmm ...we have free welfare if you cant find work and tons of programs mostly in the 3 largest cities, so that is where the majority of foreigners congregate. Most racism which I notice is not between regularly caucasion Canadians but with new Canadians. Indo-Canadians and Filipinos have a feud and well young Filipinos and Vietnamese. Racism occurs everywhere and I have encountered in myself while I was in Hong Kong. I was told in a lovely restaurant that this restaurand was for Chinese only. By the way, if you are going to make the change...make a real change...you will love our nice white winters...they will make a man out of you!!